NCL students premiere short films

Students with additional support needs have premiered a series of professional short films at New College Lanarkshire.

The videos were created in partnership with car manufacturer Volvo, creative agency Studio L/R, and North Lanarkshire Council.

The films were produced as part of No Limits, a North Lanarkshire Council programme that helps young people aged 16–19 with additional support needs gain work experience and move into employment.

The short films included Lauren, 19, who wants to be a classroom assistant and has done a year placement at a Lanarkshire primary school. Lucie, 23, who wants to be a barista but has worked many different jobs across retail and education.

Jamielee, 18, is inspired to be a retail worker, as it helps build her confidence with people and money.

No Limits is a charity that is part for North Lanarkshire Council that helps young people (16-19) with additional support needs get into work by aiding them in getting valuable work experience and helping them to apply and find work.

Alec Cheer, Lecturer in Visual and Creative Arts, coordinated the whole partnership, made sure it was inclusive and well-structured, and the results were exceptional with industry partners praising the professionalism and quality of the students' work.

Alec said: "Working in the college with the students provides a great opportunity to gain that client-creative team experience. This includes dealing directly with a client, ensuring the job is done properly, and identifying exactly what they want.”

Scott Robertson, Job Coach at North Lanarkshire Council, praises the work ‘amazing masterpieces’ from the students. He said: “With this programme it was so nice to work on something very different, and see how the students worked together and developed.

“Most of these students are already in employment or on to further positive destinations.”

Studio L/R is a creative agency based in Edinburgh, who ran workshops for the students to develop their own digital CV, such as writing scripts and storyboarding ideas, which the College’s Film & TV students filmed and edited.

Car manufacturer Volvo, are the instigators of the project, and it came about as part of their Season Gift initiatives to connect with local communities.

Morven Flynn, Communications Manager for Volvo, said: “Everyone involved should leave here feeling proud. We sure are, this has been a pleasure to work on this project with everyone.”